CycleOps have just dropped The Hammer on the trainer world with the release of its first direct drive smart trainer. Already the pervasive brand in bike trainers, this newest release takes dead aim at the growing smart trainer market.

It appears to have universal bike compatibility with thru-axle widths of 142mm and 148mm, along with quick release fork widths of 130mm and 135mm. It will be released with dual Ant+ FE-C and Bluetooth 4.0, meaning it should work with all sensors and software platforms available not he market, including Zwift, TrainerRoad, and Virtual Training.

The Hammer has many of the same features and specifications as Wahoo's KICKR while claiming to replicate "real world inertia" better than anyone else. It also may be among the quietest of direct drive trainers at a claimed 64 decibels at 20mph. Unlike the KICKR, it does not come with a cassette.

The Hammer is listed as weighing 47 pound, with a couple of nice add-ons: an integrated front wheel tray, support legs that hide under the trainer for storage. The Hammer uses CycleOps' proven PowerTap technology for power readings.

It will be available the fall of 2016, at a competitive retail price of $1199. Slowtwitch will test and report on this trainer between now and its launch.